Why is Steel used as reinforcement with Concrete in Constructions?

French gardener, Joseph Monier was the pioneer of reinforced concrete in the nineteenth century but the first reinforced concrete was used in a construction by French industrialist, François Coignet in 1853. He used iron as a reinforcement with concrete for the construction of his four-story house. In 1879, German civil engineer, G A Wayss started the commercial use of reinforced concrete with Iron and Steel. Over the years, this technique has been studied, developed and the modern day reinforcements look a lot different than where we started.

Detailed research about this combination of concrete with steel can be discussed with some key pointers as follows:

Opposites attract:

Concrete and Steel display very different set of physical and mechanical properties. While concrete is brittle and weak, Steel demonstrates extreme strength and ductility. These completely opposite properties of these two building materials are seamlessly complemented for bringing the required flexibility and ease of construction. When the high-strength Steel is combined with concrete, the reinforced material is able to resist compression, bending, and high tension.

The balancing act:

The combining of Steel with concrete balances out the gaps in the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of other, therefore ensuring a sturdy structure. These materials are not only balanced in properties but also pricing. The high price of Steel is balanced by the low price of concrete and so is the balancing of the experienced labor. This is important to keep the overall costs in check and also ensure a smooth functioning of the construction.

Powerful connection:

The Steel rods usually used in reinforcements are designed with a ribbing pattern on them. These ribs on the Steel rods trap the concrete mix poured on them and create a strong bond with the material. These strong bonds between concrete and the Steel rods ensure stronger constructions as external forces cannot easily break these bonds and the concrete will not slip away from these rods as they are tied together on the ribs.

The constant nature

The nature of Steel, its properties remain unchanged over years and therefore the reinforced material does not go through any changes over time, which ensures that the combined properties are also consistent. This constant behavior of Steel makes it predictable and the powerful bond between concrete and Steel therefore is unaffected. The nature of reinforced concrete remains unchanged with changes in climate, temperature, pressure, etc.

Agni Steels is one of the leading manufacturers of Steel rods, TMT Steel bars in India that are utilized in reinforced constructions around the country and is contributing to the modern and strong constructions and key infrastructure. Reinforced concrete is superior to other forms of raw materials used for constructions with respect to strength, mechanical failure, ductility of structure, resistance to natural calamities, etc.